Thanksgiving, 2013

Kids dancing to "What Does the Fox Say" song

Abigail was REALLY getting into it!

Snuggle time with Gramma after dinner

Writing things they are thankful for.

This may be our new tradition. :)

More Fall Moments, 2013

Silly Faces

It never gets old...

Rapunzel

Old Rapunzel wig cut becomes Dash from The Incredibles

Teaching Art Lit

Chris has been bonding with his brother, learning to home-brew beer

We were blessed to contribute to sending Trader Joe's love to our friends who are missionaries to the DR

Third birthday party in a row...Abigail has easily made friends in her class.

Abigail did my hair on crazy hair day at her school

She was home sick from school...we still put her to work. :)

Isaac still loves to draw

by Abigail

We are having such fun now that her hair is getting longer

View from a run...God's creation is beautiful

Mom's face paint

Isaac reading to dad (our heater went our on one of the coldest days of the year)

I ran through as many as possible just to hear the crunch

My sweet Abigail

 I tend to reflect on times with Isaac because he is my first born and hits milestones in his life first. I am pausing a moment to record a little about Abigail, my little girl who reminds me so much of her daddy.

My little girl is so bright. She doesn't talk as much and likes to finish things quickly, so she can get lost in the mix when compared to her brother. She is blooming in her class. She is at the top of her class (especially in math and reading) and loves to help other kids in her class. She is very aware and attentive to others...what they wear, how they are feeling, and how she could help them. It is no wonder she earn S.T.A.R. cards for being "always kind" in class. She loves to sing and is really improving in her penmanship. She doesn't need to be "busy" doing something, but can explore, create and entertain herself with the incredible imagination she has. She has been told that fairies are pretend but built a fairy house to put outside "just in case they are real." Her retention is amazing and she memories Bible verses so easily. She uses her writing skills to leave us notes all the time.

She plays so well with her brother as a super hero or some other character from a book show or movie they enjoyed together (every one in a while, he will play Barbies with her a few minutes). She still loves new clothes and changing every time we turn around. Most of all, she just enjoys being close (just like Chris). It doesn't matter what she is doing as much as it matters the involvement she has with the one who is with her (which is hard for me who has the hardest time just being"still" and living in the moment). I am working on it.

 In general, Abigail likes to do things that she can master quickly and be done with. She loves beating us a cards, but never finishes a board game. She is always ready to move on to the next thing, but wanted to take on making a princess doll all by herself. I prepped her for the fact that I would not make it for her and that it would not get finished in one day (I assumed it would take months of 15 minute segments of work). She shocked me. She picked us a back-stitch and blanket-stitch with ease and had more perseverance than I did. Our first day, we worked 3 hours straight without even a bathroom break. She finished the doll in 8-10 hours over 3 days and did 80% of the work all by herself. I was SO proud of her! What was cute was how proud she was of herself. She accomplished so much. We were both amazed.

My favorite time with her was a brisk morning we spent at the outlet mall before she had to go to school. It was SO COLD, in the 40s. We each got a Starbucks treat and held hands as we window shopped. We talked a little bit, but mostly enjoyed being in the moment together. More than a handful of times, we just made eye contact and told one another how much we loved the other person. We did find some great deals on some winter clothes for Isaac and a few Christmas gifts, but the "girl time" was a treasure. I look forward to times like this as she gets older...teen years...as an adult. :)

Oh, I cannot forget...she is a Crack-Up!!! She is drama to the nines. She gets puns and makes them all the time. Her delivery, animation and facial expressions are stop on for good comedy. She gets others' jokes really easily too, which makes people love having her around. She can mimic any accent, especially a British/English one (like Charlie and Lola). "I have a little sister, Lola. She is small, and very funny."

Gymnastics and Ballet

 Abigail is really loving and growing in her gymnastics and ballet class. She tries so hard and is so attentive. It is also keeping her in good shape in a fun way.

Concert Fun

We are so blessed by awesome Christian concerts. Chris and I saw Matthew West one evening on a date. Bethany and I took the boys to see a list of groups including Newsboys. Isaac was asking to go home or play angry birds before it even started. He danced and sang in the middle and fell asleep in my arms the last hour. I LOVED THAT!! Even when he was a baby, he wouldn't fall asleep in my arms. It was a gift to have that sweet time together.

The drive home

Isaac was COLD waiting outside in line. :)

Love this!!!

I LOVE singing together to the Lord!

Time Away, Timeshare Time

We zipped away to another couple of night at a timeshare because Chris had a day off with the kids, the rare blessing. We just love being together. This time we had lots of rain so played games, watched movies, swam and put way to many bubbles in the jetted tub! :)

War is great to teach Abigail greater and less than. :)

Halloween 2013

Fun with the Beanes

Jengo Fett and Boba Fett

The Rebel Alliance is under attack!

Farm fun with friend, Jaden

Isaac's Class (Mrs. Mastrud)

Abigail's Class, Mrs. Bates

"Silly Faces"